When Do Dentists Use Laughing Gas?

For your dental health, it’s vital that you visit your dentist’s office regularly. When you visit the office, a dental hygienist will remove the plaque off of your teeth. A polishing procedure will follow. Unfortunately, not all visit is smooth. In some cases, you may need to undergo an extensive procedure that requires the use of laughing gas.

What does a laughing gas do?

Also called nitrous oxide, laughing gas is a local sedation method. It’s colorless and odorless. As a sedative, it relaxes patients by giving them pleasurable feelings. It’s a common sedation method because its effects are quick and they are reversible. For that reason, most dentists opt for it because it is safe for the majority of patients.

Laughing gas is usually administered for patients who need to undergo extensive surgeries that are painful. It’s the only option a dentist could choose to sedate a patient during a procedure to save the patient a great deal of pain. Since the teeth and gums are delicate, sedation is already a prerequisite before any dental procedure.

Some dental procedures can cause a lot of pain. Because of that, dentists couldn’t perform it if the patients are awake and feeling the pain. Without sedation, the pain will only prohibit the effectiveness of the dental procedure.

Laughing gas is also necessary for patients suffering from dental anxiety. These are individuals who completely avoid undergoing dental procedures because of fear. It’s normal. And it’s good to know that nitrous oxide is not only safe but it’s also a powerful sedation method.

Dental Anxiety

Eliminating dental anxiety is the main goal of laughing gas. It makes the patient comfortable. As the patient is relaxed while sitting, the dentist could effectively complete the required dental care procedure. However, it is not for every patient. That’s why, before sedating the patient, dentists would first make a dental and medical history.

How is laughing gas administered?

Your dentist will place an inhaler over your nose so you can breathe the oxygen. When you become comfortable breathing it, your sedation dentist will introduce the laughing gas gradually.

When receiving laughing gas, you’ll feel lightheadedness. Some people report to experience humming sensation. They also feel numbness in their hands and fingertips. Numbness may also be felt in the mouth. But it is a benefit to hasten the dental procedure.

Why nitrous oxide?

As mentioned earlier, nitrous oxide is the safest option to sedate the patient who will undergo an intensive dental procedure. This sedation method has an array of benefits. These would include immediate desired results. Your dentist could also control how much laughing gas to introduce. Plus, once the procedure is over, there are no after effects. You also don’t need to endure the pain of the needle as no injection is necessary.

To avoid laughing gas, though, you need to form a healthy dental routine. An excellent dental hygiene routine always starts with brushing after every meal or at least twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste. Then, follow it with regular flossing.